trade

Don't see why CHI wouldn't accept.

If either Toronto or the Isles won the Cup after that trade, the NHL would collapse in on itself from sheer irony.

I doubt Toronto does this, even if what they essentially gain here is cap space. Tavares’ production has been about point per game in Toronto. That said, Pageau and whatever defenseman they sign in Free Agency with the cap space they gained would probably get the Leafs closer to a Cup than Tavares has.

From the Isles’ point of view, I think we’re desperate enough for offense to try this. Sure, Tavares’ contract is too high for what he does, but we’re going to probably have to rebuild in 2-3 years anyway. Might as well leave it all out on the table until then.

Yeah, yeah, it won’t happen. But who cares. It was fun tk think about:

I think the biggest problem with this is that I believe he and Barzal don't like each other. After he left LI, Tavares referred to Barzal as "the kid that won the Calder" like he couldn't be bothered to remember his name, and Barzal made a comment about how he didn't want to be with a team for nine years and only make the playoffs twice.

Like I said, I fully acknowledge that this wouldn’t happen. Just fun to think about from a story line perspective. It just has the feel of a sports movie.

But from a locker room chemistry perspective, you’re probably right. It wasn’t just Barzal, a lot of guys in the locker room felt rightfully betrayed by JT. I think it helps explain why Barzal, such a dedicated “pass first” forward, got a hat trick in one of his first games against the Leafs after JT left. He was out for blood.